PKS Syuro Council: We Need A Welfare Protection System To Face Crisis Shocks In A Pandemic Period

Chairman of the PKS Syuro Council Salim Segaf Aljufri/DOK pks.id

JAKARTA - Chairman of the PKS Syuro Council Salim Segaf Aljufri emphasized the need for an adaptive social protection and welfare system to deal with crisis shocks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As studies by various parties state that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will last for a long time, our government should also anticipate it," said Salim in a Webinar entitled "Public Policy Studies Considering the Directions and Policies of the Ministry of Social Affairs in the Context of Handling the Impact of COVID -19”, Wednesday, October 6th.

Salim said that various studies have shown that social protection programs (including social assistance) have a positive impact on people experiencing humanitarian crisis situations, such as natural and social disasters. However, an emergency situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic emphasizes that vulnerability has many dimensions and is dynamic.

"It could be that social assistance is not the only solution to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The government also needs to strengthen the social protection and empowerment system," he continued.

The former Minister of Social Affairs in the United Indonesia Cabinet volume II also reminded the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs to ensure the presence of the state in the midst of a pandemic, in the form of programs to improve social welfare.

In the midst of a pandemic situation, said Salim, one of the basic tasks of the Ministry of Social Affairs is to ensure that people affected by the pandemic feel the presence of the state, especially through programs to improve social welfare.

"Therefore, the performance of the Ministry of Social Affairs needs to be supported by various supporting systems, such as policy design, budget and political will from the government," said Salim.

In addition, Salim appreciated the Social Welfare Division of the PKS DPP which had initiated the Webinar with the Ministry of Social Affairs. He hopes that the results of the discussion can be followed up and voiced by the PKS faction in various regions.

"I give high appreciation to the entire Social Welfare Division of DPP PKS who have initiated this important event. I hope that the results of this discussion can be recommended to DPP-PKS to be followed up by PKS factions at all levels so that they can be voiced as aspirations from the PKS extended family," said Salim.